Towed From A Private Lot
G.S. 20-219.2 — signs at every entrance, 72 hours before the rule applies, in the listed counties
In North Carolina, the section on removing vehicles from private lots applies only in the counties and cities it names, among them Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, Forsyth and Cumberland counties and the cities of Durham, Charlotte and Fayetteville. Where it applies, parking in a private space without the owner or lessee's express permission is unlawful if the lot is designated by legible signs no smaller than 24 inches by 24 inches at all entrances, showing the towing and storage company's current name and phone number.
Seventy two hours. The section does not apply until 72 hours after the required signs are posted, and a vehicle is removed on the written request of the space's owner or lessee.
Distance. If there is a place of storage within 15 miles, the vehicle is not taken more than 15 miles from where it was removed; otherwise not more than 25 miles.
At the counter. The person who tows or stores the vehicle informs the owner in writing at retrieval that the owner may pay the lien asserted, request immediate possession, and contest the towing lien under G.S. 44A-4. No waiver of rights may be required as a condition of release, other than a form acknowledging release and receipt of the vehicle.
Liability. A person removing a vehicle under the section is not liable for the removal itself, but may be held liable for intentionally or negligently damaging the vehicle or injuring a person. A violation is an infraction with a penalty of not less than one hundred fifty dollars.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe rule is the same in every county | What the law actually doesThis section applies only in the counties and cities it names |
| The assumptionGetting the car back means signing away any complaint | What the law actually doesOnly a form acknowledging release and receipt may be required |
Local ordinances, fee schedules and police ordered impounds are not all on this page. Whether a particular tow was lawful is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney. The section does not preempt county or municipal towing ordinances.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 20-219.2 — Removal of unauthorized vehicles from private lots
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.